High School Fridays: Pride takes a fall (Holy Trinity @ Schalmont, 10/18/19)

"Those who fail to remember history are doomed to repeat it."--George Santayana

One year ago, Troy High, after dropping back to Class A, opened on the road at Schalmont, and dropped a 14-6 decision to the Sabres.

Apparently, that lesson was lost on the Holy Trinity Pride entering Friday's game at Schalmont, on Senior Night for the Sabres. As seen on Friday Night Matchup, the Pride put themselves at a distinct disadvantage before the game even started, with running back Rodney Jackson ruled out with a fractured foot, an injury they're hoping won't curtail his season.

Holy Trinity won the toss, but couldn't do anything after the opening kickoff. Star receiver Nacier Hundley is also their punter, and his first punt of the night was a shank job, giving Schalmont primo field position on the Pride's 25 yard line.

Between QB Jake Sanford and RB Ben Burchardt, the Sabres kept the ball on the ground, and bulled their way to the first score of the night, with Burchardt punching it in from a yard out. However, the 2 point conversion failed, and Schalmont had a 6-0 lead, three and a half minutes into the game.

Schalmont's defense bottled up Holy Trinity's offense, with Hundley chained to the bench, not so much because of the botched punt, but coach John Barber chose not to use him early on. Have to believe some discipline issues are involved. With under a minute left in the quarter, Sanford ran it in himself from five yards away, and this time the PAT was good, so Schalmont had a 13-0 lead after the first quarter.

On the ensuing Holy Trinity possession, Noah Foster, pressed into service at running back with Parker out, broke off a 25 yard touchdown run to get the Pride on the board, less than three minutes into the second quarter. A minute later, Burchardt restored the lead to 12 points with a 39 yard touchdown run. The PAT failed this time, but some seven minutes later, Burchardt found the end zone again, this time from 12 yards out. Sanford scored the 2 point conversion, and the Sabres went into the break with a 27-7 lead.

The Pride showed some signs of life late in the third quarter, as Hundley was finally utilized on offense, and caught a 11 yard pass from Joe Tortello in the back of the end zone. Foster ran it in for the 2 point conversion, and as we went into the final frame, Schalmont's lead was back down to 12 at 27-15. However, some four minutes into the fourth quarter, Sanford put the game away with his second touchdown, a 2 yard quarterback keeper, then scored his second 2 point conversion of the night. It's worth noting that Sanford did not attempt a pass in the entire game, and Schalmont racked up over 400 yards in total offense, all on the ground. A certain Super Bowl winning quarterback should be sent a tape of this game and take notes.

Holy Trinity's last touchdown was Foster's second of the evening. With the PAT, the lead was back to 13. A final drive for the Pride ended in disaster, as a turnover sealed the game for the Sabres. Schalmont simply ran out the clock, and staked their claim to the Reinfurt Division title with a dominating 35-22 win.

Even though Holy Trinity has a better overall record at 6-1, quarter points will decide the division title, just like in the now defunct Continental Basketball Association back in the day. Final playoff pairings will be announced as early as Monday.